08/06/2026

MONDAY | JUNE 8, 2026

5

‘Fines for corruption cases may hinder anti-graft fight’ o Criminologist warns opaque settlements risk weakening deterrence, turning penalties into business cost

Former Kedah deputy speaker found dead ALOR SETAR: Former Kedah state assembly deputy speaker Datuk Mohd Jamil Md Idross was found dead after he is believed to have fallen into Sungai Teluk Bagan along Jalan Tandop yesterday. Kota Setar police chief ACP Syed Basri Syed Ali said the body of the 78-year-old was discovered by personnel from the Alor Setar Fire and Rescue Department at 8.10am. He said the victim was found about 50m from the spot where he is believed to have fallen, based on the discovery of a pair of slippers believed to belong to him near the riverbank. According to Syed Basri, family members last saw Mohd Jamil at about 11.30pm on Saturday. At about 5am yesterday, they realised he was not at home before finding his slippers near the river and suspecting that he had fallen into the water. A police report was lodged at the Kota Setar district police headquarters at 7.18am, prompting a search and rescue operation. “Initial investigations found that the victim had been discharged from hospital about a month ago and had a history of chronic illnesses, including diabetes and high blood pressure. He had also received treatment for a lung infection,“ Syed Basri said in a statement yesterday. He added that the victim lived with his wife and two daughters, aged 29 and 27, and that family members informed police he had no history of depression or psychiatric illness. Investigations also revealed that Mohd Jamil routinely moved his vehicle from inside his house to an area outside the residence, which is located near the river. “A white Perodua Kancil is believed to have been moved by the victim before the incident and was found near the location,“ he said. The body was taken to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital for an autopsy while police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. Mohd Jamil served as Pengkalan Kundor assemblyman representing Umno from 1995 to 1999 and again from 2004 to 2008. He was appointed deputy speaker of the 14th Kedah state assembly and held the position from 2018 to 2023. – Bernama Woman crashes sports car into hotel lobby GEORGE TOWN: An elderly woman lost control of a sports car she was driving and crashed into a hotel lobby at Gurney Drive yesterday, in an incident that has been widely shared on social media. Northeast district police chief ACP Abdul Rozak Muhammad said police received a report regarding the incident from the 61-year-old local woman at 12:05pm and investigations revealed that the incident occurred at 11:15am. “The incident happened as the senior citizen was preparing to head home after visiting family members. “No casualties were reported, and the estimated losses are still under investigation,“ he said in a statement yesterday. He added that the case is being investigated under Section 43 of the Road Transport Act 1987. Earlier, photographs widely circulated on social media showed a grey sports car inside a hotel lobby after its driver is believed to have lost control and crashed into the premises. – Bernama

the repeated use of compounds without adequate explanation could deepen public suspicion that the wealthy and influential are treated differently from ordinary Malaysians. “Some may say these matters can be settled behind closed doors. Others may believe the rich and powerful receive special treatment. “Ordinary people go to prison, but those with influence, or who may have connections, simply pay a compound and make the problem disappear.” He called for full transparency in every settlement, including disclosure of the individuals involved, the nature of the offence, the amount paid, the reasons prosecution was not pursued and whether any additional conditions were imposed. Shahul also said certain categories of cases should never be resolved through compounds, particularly those involving public interest, public safety and essential services such as healthcare, education, construction, infrastructure and food safety. “If corruption occurs in these sectors, quality could decline, lives could be put at risk and the impact on the public could be severe. Such cases cannot simply be paid off and forgotten.” He added that cases involving large sums of money, repeat offenders, senior officials, abuse of power, serious breaches of trust or organised criminal networks should be prosecuted in court. “For minor cases, such as a RM50 bribe to a traffic policeman, compounds may be considered, but the amount imposed should be a substantial multiple of the bribe to serve as a genuine deterrent.”

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

RM2 million from a project and the risk is a compound of RM200,000, I still make a substantial profit. So, why not do it?’ “The offence will then be repeated. Corruption becomes a profit-and-loss calculation rather than a question of ethics, integrity and the rule of law.” Under Section 92 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Amla), the competent authority or relevant enforcement agency may, with the consent of the public prosecutor, compound offences under the Act by accepting payment of up to 50% of the maximum fine. The First Schedule of Amla also lists several offences under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act as serious offences, including gratification, bribery of public officials and abuse of office for gratification. The warning follows concerns raised on June 5 by Transparency International Malaysia president Dr Raymond Ram, who said the increasing use of compounds, settlements and withdrawals of charges in corruption linked cases risked creating a “pay-to-settle” culture. He called on the Attorney-General’s Chambers and MACC to publicly explain instances when charges are withdrawn or quashed following such arrangements. Shahul echoed those concerns, adding that

PETALING JAYA: Settling corruption cases through compound fines without public explanation risks turning graft into a calculated business decision rather than a crime, a criminologist has warned. Independent criminologist Datuk Shahul Hamid Abdul Rahim said while compounds are permitted under the law, the greater danger lies in the perception that offenders can simply pay their way out of a case, avoid a criminal record and walk away without meaningful consequences. “For those who calculate risk, they will think: ‘If I am caught, I just pay. I do not need to go to prison.’ The remedy becomes very simple: ‘It’s okay, it’s just a compound. Just pay.’ There is no stigma, no long-term consequences, no disclosure and no public explanation” he told theSun yesterday. “This directly undermines the primary purpose of punishment. We want punishment to act as a deterrent, not merely allow someone to pay a compound and move on.” Shahul said the risk was particularly acute in white-collar crime and corruption cases involving companies, contractors and individuals in positions of power. “When corruption is treated as a business cost, the thinking becomes: ‘If I profit

Jaslinda receiving medical attention from rescue personnel after being taken out of the jungle. – BERNAMAPIC

Police record statements from hiker’s rescuers TAPAH: Police have recorded statements from several Orang Asli who found and rescued hiker Jaslinda Saludin, 49, after she spent 14 days missing in the Gunung Batu Putih area. completing investigations into the case,“ he said when contacted. Abdul Malik said the statements were important in helping investigators establish a clearer picture of the victim’s condition and whereabouts when she was found.

the Gunung Batu Putih area on May 24, triggering a large-scale search and rescue operation involving multiple agencies and volunteers. She was found safe by a group of Orang Asli at about 5pm on Saturday before being taken for medical treatment. Jaslinda had joined a hike with 13 other participants and two Forestry Mountain Guides via the Trans Spencer Chapman trail, which began at 2am on May 23 along the Pos Gedung-Gunung Bah Gading-Gunung Batu Putih-Kuala Woh route. – Bernama

Tapah district police chief Supt Abdul Malik Hasim said those who had provided statements included Nazri Bah Eng, 51, and two of his friends, who found the victim in a forested area near Kampung Lubuk Gaharu in Pos Musoh on Saturday. “Police are also waiting for Jaslinda’s condition to stabilise before recording her statement and

According to him, Jaslinda remains under treatment at Tapah Hospital after being taken out of the jungle by rescuers on Saturday evening. “We have been informed that the victim sustained an injury to her left ankle,“ he said. Jaslinda was reported missing while hiking in